Christine Walkden joins Gardeners' QuestionTime as a panellist

TV gardener Christine Walkden is to join the panel Gardeners' Question time, partly filling the hole left by the death of John Cushnie.

GQT is not going to replace John Cushnie but instead has invited a number of guest panellists. Christine told me that she is "thrilled about it as I love doing radio work".

Christine has also been awarded Honorary Doctorate from the University of Essex via her association Writtle College. She will receive the award from Writtle College Patron Alan Titchmarsh, at a graduation ceremony in Chelmsford Cathedral in September.